In-Box Review

Introduction

The Austin 10hp Light Utility Car or Austin Tilly was a typical wartime improvisation. It was a conversion of the pre-war standard production Saloon Car, adapting it into a small pick up type truck that could be used by the Military. Tillyís as they were known served throughout the 2nd World War and there is a famous picture of HM The Queen, the then Princess Elizabeth beside several during her training with the ATS.

The release of the Tamiya 1/35th scale kit no 35308 was welcomed by many and provided the first plastic representation of this vehicle. The kit is a nice kit but lacked a few details that would have made it even better than it is. Legend Productions have released a small update and stowage set for the vehicle that may be of interest to modellers.

Review

The set comes packed In a sturdy sealed box showing the product and Legend Productions information on the front and the Legend Productions information on the reverse. A colour picture of the un-built items on and beside the vehicle displays the contents.

The set is cast in a light grey resin free from damage or any causes for concern. The items were sealed in a separate Ziploc bag within the box.
The set comprises:

Replacement canvas cover

New grill with covers

Covered spare wheel

4 x Jerry cans (complete with separate handles and nozzles)

3 x 2gal POW cans

1 x medium size stowage box

1 x bucket

1 x tree containi9ng small pack, tool box, large pack, oil can

4 x 50 cal ammunition boxes

2 x open boxes; one with apples and the other containing bread

1 x partially open ammunition box with contents

1 x closed ammunition box

Looking at the separate parts I would comment as follows; the canvas cover is very nicely done, there are nice folds/creases in the upper texture and the four side window panels have nice detail. There appears to be several different types of canvas cover used on the Tilly some with and some without the side window panels and also some differences in the securing straps for same. On the kit the upper securing straps/buckles are not in the same alignment as the lower two straps which would lead me to believe they are wrongly placed, although there may be versions of the cover with this arrangement I can see no reason why! The rolled up rear of the tarp is nicely done and 3 securing straps hold it in place. Inside the canvas tilt cover are the missing three support poles but no indication of the four window openings. The texture is also smooth rather than wrinkled as it should be. Around the base of the tarp are nicely detailed securing holes and rope.

The covered spare wheel is a simple but effective addition that will allow for an alternative finish if you so wish. The Replacement grill with the canvas grill cover looks to be a nice item. Not all Tillyís had these but many did and it was a missing detail not covered by the original kit. The 4 x jerry-cans have nice WD marking and fittings. The 3 x POW cans come with the handles attaches and these will need careful cleaning out of the film. They are unmarked. The remaining trees give some interesting and useful stowage for the vehicle. The ammo boxes with apples and bread are a nice touch, but none of these items are essential to update the kit. A bucket without a handle is also provided.

Conclusion

None of these items actually update the Tilly. The main three; the Canvas Tilt Cover, Covered Spare Wheel and Radiator with Canvas Cover simply offer the modeller an alternative finish to the vehicle. The Canvas cover is very nicely done and will improve the finished article, but is let down by the misplacement of the top securing buckles on the outside and the lack of replication of detail on the inside. To be fair the missing support tilts are in place The canvas covered spare wheel and radiator with canvas covering are both nicely done. The additional stowage items are both fun and very well molded and will give modellers an additional choice as to how they load up the vehicle.

Had the set contained alternative wheels or the missing SMLE or No 4 Mk 1 rifles then I would have considered it an update set. As it stands it provides a range of good items to allow a slightly different finish to the vehicle. The items would lean towards a later rather than earlier Tilly but there would be nothing stopping you using them across a couple of kits to suit your needs. The set also provides reason for another Tilly purchase if you havenít already got a couple in the stash.

Our Thanks to Legend Productions USA!This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

About Alan McNeilly (AlanL)FROM: ENGLAND - EAST ANGLIA, UNITED KINGDOM

Greying slightly, but young at heart. I've been teaching adults off and on for most of my life. Left the services in 85 and first started modelling in about 87 for a few years. Then I had a long spell when I didn't build anything (too busy) and really just got started again during the summer of ...

Comments

Hi Jack,
Leave out the jerry-cans and probably the radiator cover. I don't think it was use in the desert as you'd want as much air as possible getting to the radiator.
The only picture I've seen of a desert Tilly is the one in Sudan 40/41 finished in 'Caunter' scheme and it's shown without the tarp although either way would be possible.
So you could do a desert version as it comes out of the box.
Al

Thanks again, Alan.
Has this photo's location ever been properly identified?
[http://www.network54.com/Forum/433829/thread/1247656135/last-1249124614/Tilly%27s+in+Africa,+or+Italy.[/url]
Any info on this one:
From what I've been reading on forums, desert colours would be rare for a Tilly, and likely would remain European/Homefront colours?
Any known photos of the Newfoundland 166th Artillery Regiment in Tunisia? These had some interesting names on their Tillys, 'Aces and Eights' and 'Straight Flush'.
regards,
Jack

Hi Jack,
Two nice photographs. The best source of information on the Tilly is Mike Shackleton who runs the Tilly Register.
http://www.tillyregister.com/
You'll find a contact link in the tabs at the top of the site. If you contact Mike directly he's usually more than willing to help with any questions and would also be interested in any pictures you come across.
You premiss is correct that most B vehicles just remained in their UK colours but that was not always the case, so for your desert vehicle you could apply a camo scheme.
The picture you posed of the Aussie, is in Mike's book 'Tilly Colours '- data says it is an unknown desert vehicle but possibly the picture was taken in Syria.
The second picture is unknown to me and Mike would be the best person to answer your 3rd question.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Al

I have this stowage set, and I like it a lot. The problem is I don't do 1/48 or much WWII, except aircraft.
Would this be found on US bases in England?
Specifically, I want to use it with my Trumpeter C-47 for a "Night of nights" dio, but my research yields no photos of this combination.

Damn, I got confused there.
I've got the set, but somehow while Googling to find where I could get the base kit, I got it stuck in my mind that I needed the Tamiya one in 1/48. I guess it'll have to be a 1/32 Spit then, which I don't yet have...
I'd hate to waste the set. The one shop near me doesn't have the 1/35 kit.

Hi Robert,
Yes it's a 1/35 scale set. In regard to your original question there is no photographic evidence that the Austin Tilly was ever issued to RAF ground units. 'Tilly Colours' states "Austin and Morris Utilities were NOT in RAF use."
There is a lot of evidence of the RAF using Hillman Tilly's and I believe they also had some Sandards.
If anyone has a photograph to the contrary that would be really good.
You'll have to draw your own conclusions, few records were kept of B vehicles and in modelling terms never say never but there is nothing to support the issue of Austins to the RAF other than the confusion of war.
Cheers
Al

I think I may have found another Tilly photo in North Africa. It's actually on a film taken in Egypt at a workshop with vehicles be painting. The Tilly looks dark colour in two tone camou - found at the 1:37 minute mark.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060033073
regards,
Jack